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The College of New Rochelle Receives Presidential Community Service Award
The College of New Rochelle was named for the third year in a row to the President’s Higher Education Community Service 2012 Honor Roll.
The honor is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. The announcement was made at the American Council on Education’s 94th Annual Meeting, “Ahead of the Curve,” in Los Angeles, California, March 19.
More than 2,400 students completed service in the 2010-2011 academic year, totaling 164,397 service hours. The school was recognized for its involvement in three specific programs: the undergraduate chemistry department’s collaboration with Westchester County department of Planning and the Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont for their help monitoring the Westchester County Watershed; the education and environmental studies program’s partnership with Trinity Elementary in New Rochelle that mentored and helped children there plant vegetable seedlings; and the college’s Special Olympics Afternoon Competition in partnership with the Public School Sports League through the Hudson Valley Special Olympics.
Students at the school also participate in Midnight Runs, serve meals at HOPE Soup Kitchen, work with Habitat for Humanity, Teach English as a Second Language Classes at the Adult Learning Center; and volunteer with seniors in assisted living programs in New Rochelle. The students also take annual service trips helping those in need.
Sacred Heart University to Host Second Vatican Council Conference
Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. is co-sponsoring a two-day conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Monday and Tuesday, April 23-24.
Paulist Press is the co-sponsor. The event also marks the upcoming golden anniversary of the foundation of sacred Heart University.
The conference will focus on a way forward for the Church from the standpoint of the Second Vatican Council. Topics include youth; church and politics; art and beauty; suffering; labor and immigration; religion and science; and the role of women.
The conference will feature scholars and theologians from thoughout the United States, including Father Anthony Ciorra, assistant vice president of Mission and Catholic Identity at the university; Michael W. Higgins, PhD., of Sacred Heart; Roberto Goizueta of Boston College; Father David Dwyer, director of the Catholic radio program “Busted Halo,” Diana Hayes, Ph.D., of Georgetown University; Massino Fagioloi of the University of St. Thomas; Scott Appleby, Ph.D., of Notre Dame University; and Father Michael Himes of Boston College.
Father Ciorra said in a statement, “It will be an interactive conference, a place for brain-storming and a time for reflection, strategizing and moving forward.”
Tickets: $100. Information: Ann Miron, (203) 371-7790.
Manhattan College Receives Fair Trade College Status
Manhattan College has been awarded Fair Trade College status from a steering committee from Fair Trade Colleges and Universities in partnership with the Fair Trade USA.
For five years, the college has worked to expand fair trade on its campus as part of its commitment to social responsibility. It is the first college in New York City to receive the status.
The college community carries fair trade products within all campus dining halls, restaurants, cafes and the bookstore. The majority of fair trade-certified products in the United States are monitored by Fair Trade USA, a no-profit organization.
“Fair trade practices respect human dignity and are committed to social justice, important elements of our mission,” said Lois Harr, director of campus ministry and social action and adjunct instructor of religious studies.
The college schedules lectures, guest speakers, film screenings and tastings of fair trade products throughout campus in order to educate students and employees on the importance of fair trade.
“Catholic Relief Services (CRS) congratulates Manhattan College in its achievement of Fair Trade College status, and we at CRS have been gratified to witness the deepening commitments the college has made to fair trade principles as a demonstration of Lasallian tradition and engagement with CRS programming,” said Jackie DeCarlo, manager of CRS domestic programs.
